Protective system, assembly, and method

ABSTRACT

A protection system for protecting wire ropes may include a gusset plate(s), a bracket(s), and/or a protection device(s). The gusset plate(s) and bracket(s) act like stops for the protection device(s). Each protection device includes a pair of pieces that when assembled form a tube to go about a cable wire for a cable shovel.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed toward a system for protecting wire ropes or cables used in mining equipment such as cable shovels and dragline buckets.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Cable shovels are large equipment used for excavation in a mine. Wire ropes are used to hold and control the dipper during operation. However, the wire ropes can suffer damage during the excavating operation. Mining operations have tried to secure rubber blocks to the cables but without success. A system offering suitable protection for the cables is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure pertains to a system for protecting wire ropes used in excavating equipment such as cable shovels and dragline equipment from damage during operation, maintenance, and other activities.

In one example, a system for protecting a wire rope includes a protection device (e.g., a tube) that can be assembled about the rope with sufficient looseness to permit movement of the rope (e.g., axial movement) relative to the protection device.

In another example, a system for protecting a wire rope includes at least one support for limiting transverse movement of the rope in at least one direction proximate where the rope connects to the equipment (e.g., a bail of a dipper bucket).

In yet another example, a protection system has at least a support and a rope protection device. The gusset plate engages the rope protection device to act as a stop for downward vertical movement of the protection device. The protection device may optionally include a pair of pieces that when assembled form a tube. Each of the pieces may optionally include a rail and/or groove that situate into one another. The rope protection device may further optionally include at least one mechanical fastener to resist longitudinal and transverse movement of the two pieces with respect to one another.

In a further example, a protection system including a support located on a lateral side of a rope connected to a bail of a dipper bucket, a bracket located on an opposite side of the support, and a rope protection device including a plurality of pieces that when assembled form a tube about the rope. Each of the pieces may optionally include a rail and/or groove that situate into one another. The support engaging the rope protection device acts as a stop for downward vertical movement of the protection device.

In one example, a rope protection device including a plurality of pieces that when assembled form a tube about the rope. Each of the pieces include a rail and/or groove that situate into one another. The rail and groove are located adjacent an inner surface that communicates with an exterior surface. The rope protection device may further optionally include a mechanical fastening device.

In another example, a system includes at least one rope secured to a bail of a dipper bucket, inner and outer guides for the rope secured to the bail wherein one or both of the guides project above the bail, and one or more support extending between the inner and outer guides to limit the lateral movement of the rope.

In yet another example, a system includes at least one rope secured to a bail of a dipper bucket, inner and outer guides for the rope secured to the bail wherein one or both of the guides project above the bail, a protective sleeve loosely fit about the rope, and one or more support extending between the inner and outer guides to limit the lateral movement of the rope and support the protective sleeve.

In one example, a rope protection system for a rope-controlled excavating bucket includes a rope connecting device pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and receiving a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, and a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture to receive and shield the rope and to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device.

In another example, a rope protection system for protecting a rope on a rope-controlled excavating bucket includes a rope connecting structure having a body pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and configured to capture a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface, and an outer guide secured to the body to overlie a part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.

In yet another example, a rope protection device for use on a rope-controlled excavating bucket including a plurality of separate pieces that when assembled form a protective structure having a tubular aperture to receive a rope of a rope-controlled bucket with sufficient looseness to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the protection device and to shield the rope.

In a further example, a rope-controlled excavating bucket includes a plurality of walls defining a containment portion for gathering earthen material to be excavated, and a rope connecting structure. The rope connecting structure including a body pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and configured to capture a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface, and an outer guide secured to the body to overlie a part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.

In one example, a rope-controlled excavating bucket includes a plurality of walls defining a containment portion for gathering earthen material to be excavated, a rope connecting device pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and receiving a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket; and a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture to receive and shield the rope and to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dipper bucket of a cable shovel.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bail of the dipper bucket of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the bail of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4A is a side view of an upper portion of the bail of FIG. 2 in a first position.

FIG. 4B is a side view of an upper portion of the bail of FIG. 2 in a second position.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the bail of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rope protection assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the rope protection assembly of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a partially installed rope protection assembly of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 9 is a top view of the rope protection assembly of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view from line 10-10 in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of two rope protection assemblies separated from one another.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another dipper bucket of a cable shovel.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an equalizer of the dipper bucket of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the equalizer of FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a top view of the equalizer of FIG. 13 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Earth moving operations, such as mining, commonly require large and heavy rigging to handle dipper buckets, heavy shovels, and other earth working equipment used in open pit mines. The rigging uses cables or wire ropes to hold and control the equipment, such as dragline buckets, cable shovels, or other earth working components. In operation, the cables are exposed to heavy loading, boulder strikes, and/or abrasion from small earthen particles all of which can abrade and/or damage the cabling connecting to the bucket. Large boulders and smaller particles, combined with the extreme loads applied to the cables, limit the service life of the cables and associated components by eroding or damaging exposed surfaces until the components are not serviceable. Inspection and/or refurbishing of such rigging and/or equipment requires the handling of parts weighing up to several tons and aligning combinations of parts to accommodate the assembly and disassembly of the cables from the earth working components, e.g., rope connection point. Handling these large parts can be dangerous for the operators and can take the equipment out of service for long periods.

The present system is used to protect cables or wire ropes, which are used in connection with earth moving equipment. Cables and wire ropes are used interchangeably herein. In one example, a protection device may surround the exterior of a rope used in connection with a dipper bucket. Referring to FIG. 1 , a wire controlled bucket or dipper bucket 1 for a cable shovel in accordance with one example of the present disclosure includes a back wall 11, a front wall 12, sidewalls 14, and a bottom wall formed by door 16 to define a bucket cavity or containment portion 18 for receiving and collecting earthen material in an excavating operation. A lip 21 is provided along the digging edge of the front wall 12. Lip 21 extends across the width of cavity 18 between sidewalls 14. Excavating teeth and/or shrouds 24 and wings 26 of various designs are mounted along the lip 21 and bucket walls to improve digging and protect the lip 21. Earthen material generally flows in a longitudinal direction A during a digging operation. Ropes 25 are captured by a rope capturing structure, such as a bail or equalizer. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1 , an arcuate, generally C-shaped bail 19 is secured by a pivot 20 to each of the sidewalls 14 at the open end of cavity 18. The bail 19 includes fixtures to which ropes 25 may be coupled, though other placements of the bail are possible. Other bucket constructions are also possible, e.g., dragline buckets with arch anchors and dump sockets for a dump rope or dipper buckets with equalizers as seen in FIGS. 12-15 .

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2-5 , which show the bail 19 in more detail. A C-shaped or arcuate bail 19 is a common component in a cable shovel for connecting the bucket 1 with cables or wire ropes 25 as shown in FIG. 1 and is used herein as an example. Though other shapes of the bail are possible.

The bail 19 includes a body 34 having arms 36, 36′ extending downward toward the bucket 1 when attached. The arms 36, 36′ have two pin apertures 30, 30′, 31, 31′ each that align with the pivot 20 on the bucket for a pin 38 to pass therethrough (FIG. 1 ). The body 34 includes a front surface 32, a top surface 33, and a rear surface 35. The front surface 32 includes a bail block that extends outward from the front surface 32. A bail block 40 may also be situated on the rear surface 35 of the bail body 34. The bail block 40 may include a circular end 42 and a groove 44. The groove 44 being sized and shaped to fit a wire rope 25 therein. The rope 25 loops around the circular end 42 as a choke point so the wire rope 25 remains taunt and in tension.

The bail 19 further includes an inner guide 45 and an outer guide 46. Both inner and outer guides are illustrated as plates, but other shapes are possible. The outer guide 46 may be situated near a top surface 48 of the bail block 40 though the outer guide 46 may also extend downward over all or part of the bail body 34. Near is defined as being closer to the top than to the middle. While in prior systems the outer guide set 46 below the top of the bail, the outer guide 46 preferably extends above bail 19 in the present system—though such upward extension is not essential. The outer guide 46 includes at least a portion that is curved outward or curved about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A. The curvature is meant to deflect various sizes of earthen material outward and downward away from the rope 25. The inner guide 45 is curved and arched over the top surface 33 of the bail 19 and connected on one end to the front surface 32 of the bail and on the opposite end to the rear surface 35 of the bail. A top 49 of the outer guide 46 in the present system is preferably higher than a top 50 of the inner guide 45 and the top of the bail 19 (FIGS. 4A-4B), though this extension is not essential. The inner guide 45 may engage a top surface 48 of the bail block 40. The inner and outer guides 45, 46 also act as stops for the ropes 25. For example, during removal of the ropes for replacement or bucket maintenance, the ropes 25 may shift longitudinally generally along axis A (e.g., forward to backward and/or vice versa) from or to a first position seen in FIG. 4A to or from a second position rearward as seen in FIG. 4B.

A rope protection system 100 may include at least one or more of a gusset plate or support 102, a bracket 104, and a rope protection device 110. The supports 102 bridge a connection between the inner guide 45 and the outer guide 46. The supports 102 limit lateral movement of the forward rope 25 (i.e., transversely in the direction of line B). The support 102 may be parallel with the direction of axis A, though other configurations may be possible. In the illustrated example, there are two supports 102 adjacent laterally the inside sides of the two ropes 25 connected to bail 19 as the rope 25 passes about the circular end 42 of the bail block 40. The support 102 each has a top surface 106 that may be linear, curved, splined, or some combination. The top surface 106 of each support 102 acts as a stop for a rope protection device 110 (FIGS. 4A-4B). The top surface 106 may have a single radius curve as illustrated as this aids in guiding the rope protection device 110 along a smooth path during movement. For example, the top surface 106 may connect near the top 49 of the outer guides 46 to near the top 50 of the inner guides 45, though other arrangements are possible. The support 102 is illustrated as secured to the bail block 40 on a bottom surface of the support 102, but other configurations are possible.

The bracket 104 likewise bridges a connection between the inner guide 45 and the outer guide 46. In the illustrated example, there are two brackets 104 adjacent laterally the outside sides of the rope 25. The brackets 104 may come in different forms. For example, the brackets 104 may each be a single bar that is secured to both inner and outer guides 45, 46. The illustrated bracket 104 includes two opposing holders 114, a bar 116, and pins 118. The holders 114 have a groove 120 in which the bar 116 is sized and shaped to fit within (e.g., the bar is illustrated as cylindrical but could have other shapes). The pins 118 are installed in apertures that pass through the holders 114. The pins 118 are installed above the bar 116 to capture and retain the bar 116 in position (FIG. 6 ). The bracket 104 limits lateral movement of the rope 25 forward of bail 19. Between the inner and outer guides 45, 46, the gusset plate 102, and the bracket 104, the forward most rope 25 is captured laterally and longitudinally.

FIGS. 6-10 show a protection device or sleeve 110 including two interlocking pieces 112, 113 that connect to create a tube 120, though other configurations are possible. The structure 120 could taper on either ends or both. The two pieces 112 and 113 are mechanically secured to one another to surround ropes 25, thereby protecting the structure from external hazards (FIG. 2 ). In use, the protective device 110 may protect and/or insulate ropes 25 from abrasion, rock strike other harm from excavation, cutting, kinking, bending, etc. The sleeve 110 is situated behind the outer guide 46.

In the illustrated embodiment, the protection device 110 includes two interlocking pieces 112 and 113, each of which comprises a portion of a cylinder with complementary formations that fit together to define the entire tube structure. Alternatively, more than two pieces could be used. The tubes are preferably closed to provide additional protection, but openings could be provided for inspection or other reasons. Each tube piece 112, 113 may be made from the same or different types of material. The pieces 112, 113 may made of high-density plastics, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyamide-imide, and any other plastic of the like; rubber or rubber material such as chloroprene, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, SBR, Butyl, and Fluorosilicone; and/or metals such as steel, tungsten carbide, boron carbide, titanium, and the like material. When the pieces 112, 113 are made of relatively flexible material, and/or the cylindrical structure to be protected is compressible, then the two pieces 112, 113 may optionally be joined together by hand. However, for pieces made from stiff materials and/or relatively incompressible cylindrical structures, it may be necessary to obtain some kind of mechanical advantage to assemble the two pieces together, though hand assembly is possible. The use of more stiff materials generally tends to increase the cost of the rope protection device 110; the elastic materials may be more economical to produce. Nevertheless, manufacturing cost will depend on various factors such as the materials chosen, the way the parts fit, the manufacturing processes, etc.

One tube piece may be larger than the other as illustrated, thus comprising a larger portion of the assembled tube 120. When assembled together, the two interlocking pieces 112, 113 collectively form a tube 120 with an interior aperture 122 defining an interior surface 124 that surrounds the wire rope 25 to be protected. The interior aperture 122 may widen at the ends or be the same diameter throughout as illustrated. The formed tube 120 defines an exterior surface 128, a top surface 129, and a bottom surface 131. The interior surface 124 is preferably shaped so as to correspond to the shape of the rope 25 to be protected, but could have other shapes, so long as the fit of the tube 110 over the rope 25 is loose enough to allow for relative movement between the rope and the tube 120. Thus, the interior surface 124 may have a circular cross-section, or some other shape. In some applications, the interior cavity 122 defined by the two pieces 112, 113 may be substantially circular with one piece 112 and flat or linear with the other piece 113. The exterior surface 128 may be any shape and does not necessarily need to be cylindrical in shape. Thus, the exterior surface 128 may have a circular, square, or virtually any other cross-section.

In the illustrated embodiment, one piece 112 of tube 120 includes an elongate body 125 and with an elongate lengthwise rail along each side. The rails 126 a, 126 b project laterally outward from the body 125 and along at least a portion of length L of the tube 120. Each rail 126 a, 126 b includes three mating surfaces 133, 134, 135. The mating surfaces 133 are adjacent the portion 127 of the interior surface 124 associated with piece 112. The mating surfaces 135 being adjacent a respective side surface 137 of the body 125. The side surfaces 137 are adjacent a portion 138 of the exterior surface 128 at the opposite end. The mating surfaces 135 may include a rounded or beveled corner connecting with the respective side surfaces 137. At least one of the side surfaces 137 includes a lock aperture 139.

The other piece 113 includes an elongate body 140 and elongate lengthwise grooves 128 a, 128 b situated adjacent a portion 146 of the interior surface 124 associated with piece 113 and along at least a portion of length L of the tube 120. Three mating surfaces 143, 144, 145 define each groove 128 a, 128 b. The mating surfaces 143 are each adjacent the portion 146 of the interior surface 124 associated with piece 113. The mating surfaces 145 being adjacent a respective side interior surface 147. At one end of the side interior surface 147 is a portion 150 of the exterior surface 128. At least one of the outer interior surfaces 147 including a lock aperture 149. The three mating surfaces 143, 144, 145 end at an abutment surface 132. The abutment surface is illustrated as curved, but other configurations are possible. In another example, the grooves 128 a, 128 b may pass entirely through piece 113.

In the illustrated example, rails 126 a, 126 b are associated with section 112 and grooves or slots 128 a, 128 b are associated with piece 113, but other configurations are possible, such as the opposite configuration. While a particular arrangement of rails and slots is shown in FIGS. 6-10 , other rails and grooves configurations could be used, such as tongue and groove or dovetail structures may be provided to connect the two pieces together with respect to one another. Moreover, wide array of other arrangements of the two components could be used both ones that fit together and those that do not without fasteners, couplers, adhesives, brazing, welding, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the rails 126 a, 126 b of piece 112 are slid into respective grooves 128 a, 128 b of piece 113 until an end 130 of at least one rail 126 a, 126 b meets with abutment surface 132. In the illustrated example, the ends 130 of the rails 126 a, 126 b are curved to align with the size and shape of the abutment surface 132. When assembled, the respective mating surfaces 133, 134, 135, 143, 144, 145 of the two pieces 112, 113 may all be in contact with and oppose each other, though other configurations are possible. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the mating surfaces are flat, but other surface shapes may be used as desired, so long as the two surfaces may be brought into sliding engagement along their respective lengths (e.g., length L). In the illustrated example, there is an angle θ that gives a 0-4 degree taper to the grooves 128 a, 128 b to pressure hold or friction fit the piece 112, but this could be done on the rails 126 a, 126 b in other examples. In another example, the could be a taper on the outer circumference. This would allow the protective devices to bend about the outer rim if the inner rope 25 bent. In addition, once aligned, at least one mechanical fastener 117 or sealing material(s) may be provided through lock apertures 139, 149 to lock the two pieces in place. In another example, the two pieces 112, 113 create a seam formed between the side surfaces 137 and inner side surface 147 of the two pieces which may also include a welded groove to facilitate welding of the two pieces together on the exterior 128. Alternatively, glue or some other bonding agent may be used to provide a stronger, more semi-permanent bond if desired. Alternatively, glue or other bonding agent may be situated in-between the mating surfaces 133, 134, 135, 143, 144, 145.

The assembled tube 120 resists vertical movement of the individual two pieces 112, 113 with respect to one another. The two pieces 112, 113 also resist lateral movement of the two pieces with respect to one another so that the pieces 112, 113 do not separate or come apart. In the illustrated embodiment, the bolt 117 and/or the pressure fit prevent separation of the two tube pieces 112, 113. The two pieces 112, 113 are not limited in vertical movement as a unit and are meant to move about and/or along the rope 25 in tension with the bucket 1 and allow for external forces to move the tube 120. Once the two pieces have been assembled to form the tube 120 surrounding the cylindrical structure, then the two pieces 112, 113 are joined or fixed together to move along the rope 25 as one solid piece.

The two tube pieces 112, 113 may be assembled using a variety of methods. To install the illustrated protection device 110, tube piece 113 is slid about the rope 25 and then tube piece 112 may then be slid together with piece 113 until the ends 130 of the rails 126 a, 126 b engage abutment surface 132 and align with lock apertures 139, 149. In other examples, the tube pieces 112 may be fixed about the rope. Once the bolt 117 is installed, the assembly 110 captures the installed rope, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The protection device 110 thus provides protection to the structure at a non-fixed location and does not chafe or abrade the wire rope 25. In addition, the protective device 110 allows assembly and disassembly of the protection device around wire ropes that are already installed. Thus, the protection device 110 may be provided without the necessity of disassembling or cutting the wire ropes 25. Similarly, worn rope protection devices 110 may be easily replaced without disassembly.

A plurality of protective devices 110 may optionally be stacked atop each other. With reference to FIG. 11 , an exemplary stack of protective devices 110′ is shown. The top surface of and bottom surfaces 129′, 131′ of the protective devices 110′ may further include tab 150′ and groove 151′ like structures to lock into, such that the protective devices 110′ stacked atop each other rotate and move vertically as a single unit. While the protection system preferably includes one or more protection sleeve, one or more gusset, and one or more bracket, the various components of the system could be used independently of each other or with different combinations of elements.

Referring to FIG. 12 , another dipper bucket 201 for a cable shovel in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. The dipper bucket 201 similarly includes a back wall 211, a front wall 212, sidewalls 214, and a bottom wall formed by door 216 to define a bucket cavity or containment portion 218 for receiving and collecting earthen material in an excavating operation. A lip 221 is provided along the digging edge of the front wall 212. Lip 221 extends across the width of cavity 218 between sidewalls 214. Excavating teeth and/or shrouds 224 and wings 226 of various designs are mounted along the lip 221 and bucket walls to improve digging and protect the lip 221. Earthen material generally flows in a longitudinal direction A during a digging operation. A rope connecting structure or equalizer 219 is secured by a pivot 220 that extends forward from the top wall 215 at the open end of cavity 18. The pivot 220 extends forwardly from the back wall 211 by means of a connection arms or links. The links may extend outward from the back wall 211 to make further connections or connect to the equalizer 219. The equalizer 219 includes fixtures to which ropes 225 may be coupled. Where more than one hoist rope 225 is used, the equalizer 219 can sense the tension applied on each hoist rope 225 and is operable to equalize the tension in the two hoist ropes 225.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 13-15 , which show the equalizer 219 in more detail. The equalizer 219 is a common component in a cable shovel for connecting the bucket 201 with cables or wire ropes 225 as shown in FIG. 12 and is used herein as an example. Though other connections are possible.

The equalizer 219 includes a body 234 having ends 236, 236′ extending outward toward the sidewalls 214 when attached. The ends 236, 236′ have pin openings 230, 231 each that align with the pivot 220 on the bucket 201 for a pin 238 to pass therethrough (FIG. 12 ). The pin openings 230, 231 may pass through the body 234 of the equalizer 219 (FIG. 15 ). The body 234 includes a front surface 232, a top surface 233, a bottom surface 237, and a rear surface 235. The front surface 232 includes an equalizer block 240 that extends outward from the front surface 232. The equalizer block 240 may also be situated on the rear surface 235 of the body 234. The equalizer block 240 may include a circular end 242 and a groove 244. The groove 244 being sized and shaped to fit a wire rope 225 therein. The rope 225 loops around the circular end 242 as a choke point so the wire rope 225 remains taunt and in tension.

The equalizer 219 further includes an inner guide 245, an outer guide 246, a separation plate 247, and rope protection devices or sleeves 210. The inner and outer guides are illustrated as plates, but other shapes are possible. The rope protection devices 210 being substantially similar to the rope protection devices 110 as discussed above. The outer guide 246 may be situated near a top surface 248 of the equalizer block 240 though the guide 246 may extend downward over all or part of the equalizer. Near is defined as being closer to the top than to the middle. While in prior systems the outer guide 246 set below the top of the equalizer 219, the outer guide 246 preferably extends above equalizer 219 in the present system—though this upward extension is not essential. The outer guide 246 includes at least a portion that is curved outward or curved about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis A′. The curvature is meant to deflect various sizes of earthen material outward and downward away from the rope 225. The inner guide 245 is curved and arched over the top surface 233 of the equalizer body 234 and connected on one end to the front surface 232 of the equalizer and on the opposite end to the rear surface 235 of the equalizer. A top 249 of the outer guide 246 in the present system is preferably higher than a top 250 of the inner guide 245 and the top of the equalizer 219, though this extension is not essential. The inner guide 245 may engage a top surface 248 of the bail block 240. The inner and outer guides 245, 246 also act as stops for the ropes 225. The separation plate 247 acts as a lateral stop for ropes 225 and keeps the rearmost rope 225 aligned. The separation plate 247 includes a flat face 251 that may be connected or otherwise attached with the outer guide 246. The separation plate 247 may be inclined up to the top surface 248 of the inner guide 245.

A rope protection system 300 may include at least one or more of a gusset plate or support 202, and a rope protection device 210. The rope protection system 300 may further include a bracket (similar to bracket 104) though not shown. The supports 202 bridge a connection between the inner guide 245 and the outer guide 46. The supports 202 limit lateral movement of the rope 225 (i.e., transversely in the direction of line B). The supports 202 may be parallel with the direction of axis A, though other configurations may be possible. In the illustrated example, there are two supports 202 spaced apart laterally to the direction A along the inside sides of the two sides of the forward rope 225 connected to the equalizer 219 as the rope 225 pass about the circular end 242 of the equalizer block 240. The supports 202 each has a top surface 206 that may be linear, curved, splined, or some combination. The top surfaces 206 of the supports 202 act as a stop for the rope protection devices 210 (FIG. 13 ). The top surface 206 may each have a single radius curve as illustrated as this aids in guiding the rope protection device 210 along a smooth path during movement. For example, the top surfaces 206 may connect near the top 249 of the outer guides 246 to near the top 250 of the inner guides 245, though other arrangements are possible. The supports 202 are illustrated as secured to the equalizer block 240 on a bottom surface of the supports 202, but other configurations are possible.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the disclosure is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

The disclosure as discussed above and in the accompanying figures refer to a variety of configurations. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the configurations described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 

1. A rope protection system for a rope-controlled excavating bucket, the rope protection system comprising: a rope connecting device secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and receiving a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket; and a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture to receive and shield the rope.
 2. The rope protection system of claim 1, wherein the rope protection device includes at least two separable pieces that can be assembled about the rope to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device.
 3. The rope protection system of claim 1, wherein the rope connecting structure is a bail, a dragline bucket arch, or an equalizer.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the rope connecting device includes at least one support that engages a bottom of the tubular rope protection device to act as a stop for outward movement of the rope protection device.
 5. The rope protection system of claim 1, wherein the rope connecting device includes (i) a body pivotally connected to the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface that supports the rope protection device, and (ii) an outer guide secured to the body to overlie part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.
 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a bracket to minimize lateral movement of the rope, the bracket connecting to the body of the rope connecting device and the outer guide, the bracket located opposite the support to limit outward movement of the rope.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the outer guide is curved outward to deflect material away from the rope.
 8. The rope protection system of claim 2, wherein each of the at least two separable pieces of the rope protection device includes a lengthwise rail or a groove that fits into a groove or rail in the other respective piece of the at least two separable pieces.
 9. A rope protection system for protecting a rope on a rope-controlled excavating bucket, the rope protection system comprising a rope connecting structure including: a body pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and configured to capture a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface; and an outer guide secured to the body to overlie a part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.
 10. The rope protection system of claim 9, further comprising a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture for receiving the rope to shield the rope and to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the rope connecting device includes at least one support that engages a bottom of the tubular rope protection device to act as a stop for outward movement of the rope protection device.
 12. The rope protection system of claim 10, wherein the rope protection device includes at least two separable pieces that can be assembled about the rope.
 13. The rope protection system of claim 10, wherein each of the at least two separable pieces of the rope protection device includes a rail or a groove that fits with a groove or rail in the other of the at least two separable pieces.
 14. The rope protection system of claim 9, wherein the rope connecting structure is a bail or an equalizer.
 15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a bracket to minimize lateral movement of the rope, the bracket connecting to the body of the rope connecting device and the outer guide, the bracket located opposite the support to limit outward movement of the rope.
 16. The rope protection system of claim 9, wherein the outer guide is curved outward to deflect material away from the wire rope.
 17. A rope protection device for use on a rope-controlled excavating bucket, the rope protection device comprising: a plurality of separate pieces that when assembled form a protective structure having a tubular aperture to receive a rope of a rope-controlled bucket with sufficient looseness to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the protection device and to shield the rope.
 18. The rope protection device of claim 17, wherein each of the separate pieces includes a lengthwise rail or groove that fit with the rail or grove on at least one of the other separate pieces.
 19. A rope-controlled excavating bucket comprising: a plurality of walls defining a containment portion for gathering earthen material to be excavated; and a rope connecting structure including a body pivotally secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and configured to capture a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket, the body having a top surface, and an outer guide secured to the body to overlie a part of the rope to shield the rope, wherein the outer guide extends above the top surface of the body.
 20. A rope-controlled excavating bucket comprising: a plurality of walls defining a containment portion for gathering earthen material to be excavated; a rope connecting device secured to the rope-controlled excavating bucket in a transverse direction to material flow and receiving a rope used in controlling the rope-controlled excavating bucket; and a rope protection device supported by the rope connecting device and having a tubular aperture to receive and shield the rope and to permit axial movement of the rope relative to the rope protection device. 